Planning Permission in Cupar

Planning Permission in Cupar

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draft technical drawings and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is taken into account from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.